life lately

lately life is grackles and pigeons, that is to say commonplace. life is finding time to budget and evaluating our needs three times to whittle the total to a more and more...and more reasonable number. although really, i don't think a reasonable number exists on a month when tuition is due. but really, this is the last time. really. thus, life is hoarding coupons for an oil change and tire rotation.

lately life is colored pens and long, long lists. only half of the items are crossed off. it's a messy desk and hard-water-stained sink (yet to buy more kitchen cleaner). it's long sighs when the lights are finally out and staring in the fridge for ten minutes before i even have an idea of what might be for dinner. it's a drizzling sky and harsh wind and hair burnt with the straightening iron.

lately, life is perpetually looking forward to an evening off in the sunshine or spent watching an episode of psyche. it's living for saturday evening and then being too tired to cash in on fun plans. lately, it's sluggish days. lately it's waiting for anything to wake me up. lately, i'm apathetic.

and lately life's all about those kind notes stuck to my lunch. it's the kiss on my forehead and hand on my knee. it's those few hours in the day i get to turn the music up loud and get so. much. done. life the last while has been waking up to the birds and the sun. it's been brownies in the evening and warm oatmeal to wake up with.

lately, life's been a list of promising projects and a game of get-yourself-motivated. lately, it's been mutual evening reading instead of dishes. it's plans for summer. it's an ever-growing list of free date ideas. it's a new bird every week and homemade bread and an extra couple hundred dollars a month. it's clean bed sheets and long, long spring. it's the bobcat at the zoo bouncing off the walls next to affectionate otters. it's pretending to buy food for our pretty-much-pretend cat. i think his name is squirrel. it's cool mornings with time to exercise and the urge to sketch and sew.

lately, life is the smaller things and the attempt to stay focused on them.

two weeks until the mini (mini...) vacation. fourteen weeks until my last day of work. fifteen to go to moving day. oh, and the 4th of july is stuck in there somewhere. thank the heavens for a holiday in the middle of summer - i'm certain i'm not the only one who needs more celebration in life lately.